As President and CEO of Health Forward Foundation, Qiana guides the $1B foundation in stewarding diverse capital investments, leadership in policy advocacy, and institutional social capital that fosters health and economic inclusion throughout Missouri and Kansas. Qiana’s transformational leadership has positioned Health Forward as a national model for health equity through trustbased public/private/philanthropic partnerships and ESG investments.
Qiana Thomason draws from over twenty-five years of healthcare leadership across corporate, nonprofit, and government spheres. This aerial command of the political, private market, and social factors that shape health outcomes uniquely positions Qiana to demonstrate consistent success in driving solutions which improve the value of care for patients, clinical caregivers, communities, employers, and strengthen B2B and B2C ventures within markets. Ms. Thomason’s “self to systems” leadership practice, her commitment to harmonizing organizational care and accountability, and her prowess in leading change effectively through disruption makes her a trusted executive. Her proficiency in strategy, enterprise risk management, regulatory and compliance agility, and best in class governance practice makes her an effective partner on boards.
Formerly, Ms. Thomason was Vice President of Population Health and Community Health at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue КС – 2011-2020). At Blue KC, Qiana held executive accountability for achieving an 85% or less medical loss ratio through leadership of multiple healthcare divisions totaling a $55M budget. Ms. Thomason’s leadership consistently demonstrated value for brokers, large and mid-sized employers. Divisions led encompassed medical management with specialized emphasis on managing high-cost members across medical and pharmacy benefit lines, health plan accreditations, a certified patient centered medical home with 800+ participating physicians, an at risk clinically integrated network, and a strategic partnership with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. Qiana also pioneered the creation and launch of Blue KC’s first community health strategy and division, competitively positioning the health plan in offering new value for purchasers through provider payment innovations and HIT solutions to address complex health and socioeconomic needs. Prior to Blue KC, Qiana was the Director of Clinical Operations – Behavioral Health at Swope Health, a federally qualified health center where she was responsible for a $16M division providing comprehensive mental health and substance use services to resilient LMI communities. Qiana was also Deputy Director of the official U.S. Senate office of late Senator Jean Carnahan.
The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce recognized Qiana with the distinguished and international ATHENA Award (2024) and the national Business Journal recognized her on its inaugural listing (2022) of BizWomen. The Urban League of Greater Kansas City recognized Qiana with its Difference Maker award (2024), and Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey honored Qiana with the Race, Place, and Diversity award (2022). Ms. Thomason holds a BA in Social Work from Florida A&M University and a MA in Social Work from The University of Kansas.